North Shore Nine

The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Miami Marlins tonight by a final score of 7-2. The win lifts the Pirates to 2-0 and gives them sole possession of first place atop the division.

Pirates started the scoring in the Top of the 2nd, loading the bases a pair of walks and a bloop single. Jared Triolo then walked a run home, this was followed by a Sac-Fly by Michael A. Taylor. Though over zealous baserunning gave an out back as Oneil Cruz was thrown out trying to advance to 3rd. Then in the 3rd, Bryan Reynolds walked and Ke’bryan Hayes kept his scorching March going, ripping a RBI double down the 3B line. Edward Olivers followed with an RBI single to put he Pirates up 4-0. They gave one back in the bottom of the 3rd with Jake Burger knocking in a run.

Connor Joe hit a sharp double in the top of the 6th to put the Pirates up 5-1. A bloop single in the 7th by Cruz made it 6-1, Henry Davis made it to third on the hit and Oneil cruised into 2nd. However they remained stranded there as Jared Triolo flew out to RF. The Pirates added another in the 8th off a Sac-Fly by Hayes, following back to back singles by Joe and Reynolds.

Perez had an O.K. start to his Pirates career, giving up only one earned run. Though he did scatter six hits and three walks over 4.1 innings. Ryder Ryan followed giving up one hit in his 1.2 innings of work striking out two. He was followed by Josh Fleming. Fleming pitched two solid innings, then in the ninth things unraveled. Back to back miscues at shortstop put men on with no outs. An out and a past ball later it was 2nd and 3rd with one out. Fortunately, Fleming got a ground out that conceded a run, then a lineout to defensive replacement Rowdy Tellez to end the game.

The Pirates return to action tomorrow against the Miami Marlins. The game will be at 4:10 PM at LoanDepot Park in Sarasota FL. Jared Jones will pitch for the Pirates, making his MLB debut, with Ryan Weathers going for the Marlins.